- Persistent Issues: A paediatric dermatologist should check rashes that last >2 weeks or spread despite standard GP creams.
- Specialized Care: We tailor treatments for children, such as painless wart removal and non-antibiotic acne options.
- Early Intervention: Birthmarks like hemangiomas require early assessment (before 6 months) to prevent permanent scarring.
Skin issues in children can be distressing, not just for them, but for you as a parent. Some conditions clear up with time and care. Others, like infected eczema or growing birthmarks, need a closer look.
How do you know when to seek out a paediatric dermatologist? If you’re noticing persistent symptoms that disrupt sleep, unusual skin changes, or recurring discomfort, a specialist’s insight can make all the difference. Here’s what you need to know.
What a Paediatric Dermatologist Does
Paediatric dermatologists specialise in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. Unlike general dermatologists, they’re trained to provide care with an understanding of how children’s skin behaves and how to make clinical visits less intimidating for young patients.
Signs Your Child May Need a Paediatric Dermatologist
You may want to consider a visit to a paediatric dermatologist if you notice:
- Skin rashes that don’t go away with over-the-counter creams
- Frequent or worsening eczema flare-ups
- Persistent acne in a pre-teen or child
- Painful, itchy, or infected spots
- Changes in moles or birthmarks
- Skin discolouration or rough patches
- Unexplained swelling, blisters, or scaling
- Recurring skin infections
If any of these symptoms are affecting your child, you can schedule an appointment with our dermatologists at DermAlly.
Common Childhood Skin Conditions & Treatments
Children’s skin is sensitive and ever-changing. From infancy through adolescence, they may experience a wide range of skin issues. Here are common skin concerns we address in paediatric dermatology, and how they’re usually treated.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
One of the most frequent skin issues in children, eczema causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It may appear on the face, elbows, knees, or scalp and often worsens in response to allergens, irritants, or weather changes.
Treatment Options
Depending on the severity and triggers of your child’s eczema, we may recommend:
- Prescription topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors.
- Daily moisturiser regimens to strengthen the skin barrier.
- Oral antihistamines to reduce itching.
- Identification and management of environmental or dietary triggers.
- Wet wrap therapy for severe flare-ups.
Infant and Toddler Rashes
Young children frequently develop rashes due to their still-developing immune systems. These may include:
- Heat rash, caused by blocked sweat glands.
- Diaper rash, due to prolonged exposure to moisture or irritants.
- Cradle cap is an oily, scaly patch on the scalp.
- Viral rashes, from common illnesses like roseola or hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
Treatment Options
We evaluate the rash type and source, then guide you through care that might include:
- Barrier creams or ointments
- Anti-fungal or anti-bacterial treatments
- Skin-soothing techniques at home
- Monitoring for secondary infections
Allergic Skin Diseases
Skin allergies include:
- Contact dermatitis is a localised rash caused by exposure to irritants like soaps, metals, or plants.
- Hives are itchy, raised welts that can appear suddenly and resolve quickly.
- Food allergies, which sometimes cause hives or eczema-like rashes.
Symptoms may range from mild redness to intense swelling or itching.
Treatment Options
Treatment often involves:
- Identifying and avoiding allergens through patch or blood testing
- Oral or topical antihistamines
- Short-term use of corticosteroids during flare-ups
- Education on skin care product selection
Infectious Skin Diseases
Children frequently contract skin infections, especially in group settings like schools. These include:
- Impetigo is a bacterial infection that causes honey-coloured crusts, often around the nose and mouth.
- Viral infections like warts and molluscum contagiosum.
- Ringworm is a fungal infection with ring-shaped rashes.
- Scabies, caused by mites and resulting in intense itching.
Treatment Options
Depending on the infection, your child’s care plan may involve:
- Prescription topical or oral antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals
- Hygiene advice to prevent spread and recurrence
- Monitoring and follow-up visits for more persistent cases
What skin condition does your child have? Book a skin assessment at DermAlly to find out.
Birthmarks and Vascular Lesions
Birthmarks come in many forms and may be present at birth or develop later. Types include:
- Hemangiomas: Raised, red vascular growths that may enlarge rapidly in infancy.
- Port-Wine Stains: Flat, reddish-purple discolourations.
- Café-Au-Lait Spots: Light brown pigmented patches.
- Congenital Melanocytic Nevi: Pigmented birthmarks that vary in size and may need monitoring.
Treatment Options
Paediatric dermatologists may recommend:
- Documentation and regular monitoring for size and change
- Laser therapy for vascular birthmarks like port-wine stains or hemangiomas
- Surgical referrals for large or concerning pigmented lesions
- Parental education on what to watch for as the child grows
- Oral beta-blockers to shrink rapidly growing Hemangiomas safely
Childhood Acne and Hormonal Skin Problems
While acne is often associated with teenagers, it can also affect younger children due to genetics, medications, or early hormonal changes. Types of acne include:
- Comedonal Acne: Whiteheads and blackheads
- Inflammatory Acne: red papules and pustules
- Nodulocystic Acne: deeper, more severe acne
Treatment Options
Paediatric dermatologists may recommend:
- Topical retinoids or benzoyl peroxide
- Oral antibiotics or hormonal therapy for severe cases
- Guidance on age-appropriate skin care routines
- Recommendations for non-comedogenic products, such as
Genetic or Chronic Skin Conditions
These long-term or inherited conditions can affect a child’s appearance and quality of life.
- Psoriasis: Red, scaly plaques, often on the elbows, knees, or scalp.
- Ichthyosis: Dry, thickened, scaly skin caused by genetic mutations.
- Vitiligo: Patches of skin lose pigment due to autoimmune activity.
- Epidermolysis Bullosa: Fragile skin that blisters easily from minor trauma.
Treatment Options
Paediatric dermatologists manage these conditions through:
- Multidisciplinary care coordination with specialists
- Long-term monitoring and adjustments in treatment
- Supportive therapies such as emollients, phototherapy, or systemic medications
What to Expect During a Paediatric Dermatology Visit
Our dermatologists at DermAlly have years of experience and understand that children have different needs. We tailor our approach to suit their age, comfort level, and skin condition.
Here’s what you can expect at your consultation:
- History taking of your child’s symptoms, medical background, family history, and previous treatments.
- A physical exam, often using a dermatoscope for a more in-depth view.
- A tailored treatment plan.
Book an Assessment for Your Child at DermAlly
If you’re worried about any unusual discolouration or changes on your child’s body, we’re just a call away. Book a paediatric dermatology consultation at DermAlly and get clarity on what your child does or doesn’t have, so you can provide them with the treatment they need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you treat newborn acne?
Yes, though it usually clears on its own. If it persists beyond 3 months or looks inflammatory, it might not be acne but a fungal condition (Malassezia) or a hormonal issue requiring treatment.
Do you test for food allergies?
Eczema is often linked to allergies. We can perform or refer for skin prick tests or blood tests to identify if eggs, cow’s milk, or peanuts are triggering your child’s skin flares.
Is laser safe for babies?
Yes. Vascular lasers (like V-Beam) are FDA-approved for infants and are the gold standard for treating Port-Wine Stains safely. We use specific settings to ensure the baby is comfortable and safe.
Our articles are written and reviewed by Dr. Coni Liu (MRCS, FAMS) and Dr. Heng Jun Khee (MRCP, FAMS), Ministry of Health-accredited Consultant Dermatologists at DermAlly.
Both are Fellows of the Academy of Medicine (Dermatology) and previously served as Consultants at the National Skin Centre (NSC), bringing extensive experience in medical, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology. They are committed to making expert-led skin education accessible, practical, and clear, helping patients look and feel their best through evidence-based care rooted in science and compassion.
